The scenes in Homs come as President Bashar al-Assad's army continues to drive back rebels trying to take control of parts of the capital Damascus as part of its crackdown on dissent.

The Free Syrian Army is believed to be made up of a loose network of local units comprising deserters from government ranks joined by armed volunteers. The rebel's footage cannot be verified due to reporting restrictions barring journalists from Syria.

Elsewhere in the country, additional amateur video purported to show four funerals of victims of violence in Idlib.

Thousands of people marched and chanted as the bodies of the dead were carried through the streets.

Meanwhile In the towns of Kafruma and Kafr Shams, thousands more waved flags and held banners, calling in unison for "jihad" or holy war.

As the uprising against the rule of President Assad continues, Russia said today it would veto a draft UN resolution calling on the Syrian leader to step down unless it explicitly ruled out military intervention.